The big Friday night is just hours away

Today, I got up earlier than my regular time thanks to the good sleep I've had due to the break in what has been an exhilarating worldcup so far. Sleeping couple of hours between games and getting up at 3am to watch the next game have certainly ruined my daily routine. And Friday will kick start the next stage of the tournament with a huge huge game between my favourites Argentina and hosts Germany. When two such football powerhouses play each other, it is obvious that the expectations are high but, unfortunately, they are rarely met. I know that this game will be different. It's one of those games, where winner takes it all. Their rivalry dates back to 1986 when Maradona inspired an Argentine 3-2 win over Germany.

Argentina have displayed that they also have a good defense conceding only two goals in four games. But their defense will be tested on Friday night by a very strong looking German attack. As he did in the previous games, Riquelme will hold the strings for Argentina and have a vital role of controlling the pace of the game. He is one those players who can slow down the pace and rise it when an opportunity appears. Rodriguez has been the surprise package and is eager to continue where he left off in Leipzig. For me, that is the best goal of the tournament considering the quality of the goal and importance of the game.

For a neutral onlooker Germany might look as the favourites to go through to semi-final. It's not surprising considering that when Argentina play Germany at the Olympiastadion to a packed crowd of 70,000 plus fanatic,potbelly, beer drinking Germans, they play the entire country not just the eleven men on the pitch. And it is not easy. The presence of Maradona and vociferous Argentine fans must bring balance to the equation.

Argentine astute coach Jose Pekerman will have to play his cards masterfully and must make intelligent substitutions. Bringing Aimar,Tevez or Messi on a little earlier than in previous games will add more spice to the attack and cause trouble to German midfield and defense. The important thing is to win, doesn't matter how it comes. If quality of the game is anything to go by, Italy must not be in top eight. That doesn't mean that it will not be a high quality game. If players play to their potential and occasion, it will be the best game of the tournament until then.

So far, both teams have scored ten goals each and conceded only two. That puts them on equal terms. And Argentina have not lost to Germany since 1990 final defeat. Since then Argentina won twice and drew twice with their last meeting in Confederations cup-- precursor to worldcup-- ending in a draw.

My predictions for the semi-finals are: Argentina vs Italy and England vs Brazil and a final between two South American giants Argentina and Brazil. And Argentina taking home the trophy beating Brazil at the same stadium. It will be very boring to see Brazil winning worldcup once again. Football needs a Fernando Alonso who stopped Michael Schumacher's Juggernaut. I hope it would be Argentina. And I will have one more full-sleep night before the big Friday night.